TCNJ is top public college in the north

The College has been ranked as the number one public college in the northern region for the 20th consecutive year by U.S. News and World Report.

According to a College press release, the 2014 rankings for the Best Regional Universities have the College as the No. 1 public college and the No. 5 overall school among public and private colleges in the north. The College is also the only public college to make the top 10 of the latter ranking.

“The College is one of the best public colleges in the nation,” said Stacy Schuster, associate vice president of college relations. “This year, the opinions of our peers placed us as the top college of our type in the region for undergraduate teaching, and that really speaks volumes to the dedication of our faculty and staff, who consistently work together to provide the best possible experience for our students.”

Additionally, the College earned the No. 1 spot as the best undergraduate teaching school in the country. The press release states that this ranking determines the institutions that are agreed to have the strongest commitments to teaching undergraduates, as opposed to graduate students.

According to the press release, the College has the highest regional average freshman retention rate in the region — 95 percent. And 93 percent of freshmen come from the top 25 percent of their high school class.

As with the Princeton Review rankings from this past summer, members of the College administration were proud, yet unsurprised. Schuster believed that this ranking validated what many in the College community already know.

Students have had a very positive reaction to the College’s ranking as well. On the night the press release was issued, many students immediately rejoiced on social media — with numerous Facebook shares of the press release occurring overnight.

“This news makes me feel proud to be a student at TCNJ,” junior psychology major Izik Gutkin said. “I tried hard throughout high school to be a successful individual and excel in school, and this ranking validates all of the hard work that I have done.”

Gutkin added that what he feels the College lacks in name recognition, it makes up for with its very effective undergraduate program.

“At the end of the day, I will always cherish my time here, and I wouldn’t give it up for any school in the world,” Gutkin said.